Cave Diving Section of the National Speleological Society, Inc. CONSTITUTION Page 1 of 1

ARTICLE I: The name of this organization shall be the Cave Diving Section of the National Speleological Society, Inc. (hereafter referred to as NSS-CDS).

ARTICLE II: The purpose of the organization shall be the same as that of the National Speleological Society (hereafter referred to as NSS), with the additional purpose of organizing NSS members and all other persons who are interested in cave diving so that they may better promote the objectives of the NSS or the NSS-CDS. These objectives include 1) promotion of the conservation, exploration, and study of underwater caves; and 2) education for increased awareness, safety, and skill in cave diving.

ARTICLE III: Membership in the NSS-CDS shall be open to all interested persons and shall consist of two types: NSS-CDS and CDS. NSS-CDS members shall enjoy all of the rights and privileges of membership in both the NSS and in the CDS. CDS members shall enjoy all of the rights and privileges of membership in the CDS

ARTICLE IV: The NSS-CDS shall be governed by a Board of Directors, who shall be current members of the NSS-CDS. Members of the Board shall be elected by the general membership of the NSS-CDS, as outlined in the Bylaws. One Board member, who shall also serve as the Training Director, shall be an active cave diving instructor, and shall be elected biennially by those current, active NSS-CDS cave, and cavern diving instructors. The Board shall annually elect, from its members, the officers of the NSS-CDS, as outlined in the Bylaws.

ARTICLE V: The Board shall have the power, and responsibility to conduct the business of the NSS-CDS, including financial, policy, organizational, and operational matters. The powers and responsibilities of the Board of Directors of the NSS-CDS shall be further specified within the Bylaws of this Constitution. Directors of the NSS-CDS shall be held harmless, and not personally responsible for actions taken on behalf of the NSS-CDS provided the Directors were acting in good faith, and within the limits of the law, and the Bylaws of the NSS- CDS.

ARTICLE VI: This Constitution may be added to, or amended by approval of greater than two thirds (2/3) of the membership of the NSS-CDS and CDS combined who cast ballots on a written ballot following a minimum of sixty (60) days written notice to all members. A minimum of one fifth (1/5) of the total membership must cast ballots to qualify as a valid polling of the NSS-CDS and CDS Notice of proposed amendments must be provided to all members a minimum of sixty (60) days before the ballots are made available. Amendments may be proposed by the Board, or by a written petition of one-eighth (1/8) of the membership.

ARTICLE VII: The Cave Diving Section of the National Speleological Society shall be incorporated as a tax-exempt, under the provisions of Section 501(C)3 of the Internal Revenue Service code, non-profit organization with its Charter filed in the State of Florida, and shall operate within the laws, and regulations of this State. ARTICLE VIII: The Constitution, and Bylaws of the NSS shall not be binding on the NSS-CDS

ARTICLE IX: The life of the NSS-CDS shall be perpetual, or until terminated by greater than two thirds (2/3) of the voting membership upon the recommendation of the Board of Directors.

ARTICLE X: Any property of the NSS-CDS shall revert to the National Speleological Society (NSS) in the event of the dissolution of the NSS-CDS. End